About Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Systems
The term renewable energy (RE) refers to any energy
production system in which the energy is produced by a renewable source -
solar, wind, hydro, or geothermal - as opposed to fossil fuels or nuclear, which consume
finite resources in the production of energy. Within the solar renewable
category, the term solar energy may refer to many different types of
systems - photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems, passive solar
systems - leading to a fair amount of confusion about exactly what one
means when one refers to “solar.”
REgrid Power designs and builds solar photovoltaic
systems - that is, systems that convert solar energy directly into electricity. If you are looking for
systems that convert solar energy into heat (for example, to heat your pool
or your shower via the sun), or if you are looking for systems that collect
solar energy throughout the day and release it as heat during the night (passive
solar), these systems are not our primary focus.
Grid-Tied PV Systems
Grid-tied systems are also referred to as utility-tied or utility-interactive
systems. These systems use the power of the sun to generate electricity and
then to immediately deploy that energy. The wonder of these systems is that
the electrical “grid” of your existing electric utility is used
like a giant rechargeable battery. Grid-tied systems make use of net metering,
meaning that the energy that is generated by your solar PV system is used
to offset the electrical power that you require from your utility during
the day. You pay only for your “net” usage of electricity from
the utility, so if your PV system generates more electricity than you can
use, your electrical meter will actually run backwards! The excess energy
is sold back to the utility and is used to supply energy to your neighbors.
During dark hours such as at nighttime when your PV system is off line, your
electrical needs are supplied in the normal manner by the utility grid.
Grid-tied systems are often combined with a time-of-use
(TOU) rate schedule from the electric utility. This can greatly increase
the benefits derived from a grid-tied solar system because under TOU billing
the utility will buy power from you at peak and part peak rates during the
day when your system is generating, and you will buy power from the utility
at low rates during the evening when your PV system is off line. Under the
Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act of 1978 (PURPA) and related legislation,
U.S. utilities are required to purchase the excess electricity generated
by small power producers at regular retail rates.
See the Economic & Cost Analysis on our Services page to learn how net
metering combined with TOU billing can save you even more money on your utility
bills!
See our Design Services to learn how REgrid Power can design an appropriate
renewable energy system to meet your needs.
